News

Update // We began working on a new project recently that combines the usage of reclaimed materials and a unique modern/rustic mixture of design. The project has three primary areas of focus: 1) A rustic, reclaimed table with a square leg design. 2) A mixed-modern console/storage cabinet + shelving. 3) A reclaimed top for a desk. Here is what we have accomplished so far:

Lumber // We found some beautiful reclaimed 2x6 lumber (true 2x6s from decades ago). After planing the back surface, jointing the edges, and cutting to size, we skip-planed the face until it had a semi-rough surface.

Cabinet // One of the firsts tasks we accomplished was the fabrication and assembly of the console cabinet. Made from simple sandeply plywood, edgebanding, and a bit of mathematics, the 'box' will be the modern portion of the console cabinet.

Stains // Obviously one of the most difficult tasks in woodworking is deciding on a final color. For this project we landed on American Walnut for the reclaimed material and Ebony for the modern.

Sign // This new marquee-style logo was completed and installed at our shop in Northern Virginia. Not only does it create some great front-end signage, but the marquee logo also signifies a big step forward at Re:klaim.

The primary construction of the marquee sign consists of reclaimed pallet lumber mounted to a plywood substrate and wrapped in a flexible tin. The lighting (in this case) is incredibly simple due to common hanging rope lights. On more DIY-based projects, you can even pick up a cheap set at Target: http://tgt.biz/1uDHuwX. The 'INDUSTRIALE' portion of the sign is made from walnut harvested from a felled tree in Southeast Kansas.

As with all Re:klaim projects, we want to inform you of recycled content. The pallets were recycled from several northern VA construction locations. The walnut was salvaged from an unused tree in Southeast Kansas.

Say hello to our new marquee sign, a Re:brand project at Re:klaim Industriale.

Update // As you may know, one of our focuses is re:brand, or marquee signage fabrication. In an effort to continue to push this model, we have begun the process of working on a new sign for our business. Fabricated from reclaimed wood, roofing tin, and marquee bulbs, this sign will be the centerpiece of our shop. Here is a quick overview and some photos of the progress:

Lumber // Reclaimed pallets are becoming a staple for our fabrication work. On this marquee sign project, we bean with the deconstructed pallet material which we glued and nailed to a plywood template. We then used a 2.5" long trim bit to "trace" the template and remove the unnecessary wood.

Tin // One of the most difficult parts of this project was finding the tin to wrap the lettering. After settling on a roofing tin, we cut pieces to length, formed them to the shape of the letters and nailed them to the plywood template. The result looks great!

Update // We have been working furiously on a project for a local customer that entails creating a new centerpiece for a dining room. When we originally met with her, the concept was twofold: 1) Using reclaimed lumber, create a hefty top that has a skip-planed surface and semi-gloss finish and 2) Construct an industrial steel base that serves as both a functional and aesthetic structure. Here are a few details on what we have accomplished so far:

Lumber // We found some beautiful reclaimed floor joists pulled out of a house that was built in 1910. After planing the back surface, jointing the edges, and cutting to size, we skip-planed the face until it had a semi-rough surface.

Steel // Reclaimed and/or recycled steel is incredibly difficult to find, let alone obtain. In this case, we purchased new stock and cut it to size before welding the A-Frame legs together.

Mantel // This mantle is a great addition to a new fireplace. Not only does it provide a nice shelf for items of value, but it also creates a beautiful contrast between itself and the rock wall.

A local customer was doing a home renovation in their basement by re-configuring a room and re-cladding the aged facade of a corner fireplace. After the fireplace had it's makeover in stone, the owner then decided to add some character by installing a wood mantel. Provided in rough-sawn format - courtesy of King's Arrow Antique Lumber - we selected a Wormy Chestnut header that was salvaged from a barn in western New York state. After cleaning the mantel, cutting it to size, and finishing it with a tung oil, we installed it directly above the opening in the fireplace. The final look is fantastic!

As with all Re:klaim projects, we want to inform you of recycled content. This project was created using 100% recycled content from a local salvaged/reclaimed lumber company.

Study // These shaker-style cabinets and character walnut countertops provide a fresh new look for a local customer's home office. The contrasting oil-rubbed bronze pulls and the dark lines of the walnut countertop really help to make the white lacquer finish on the cabinets stand out.

Any time you can renovate your office to get a fresh new feel and change the layout, you should (or at least that's what we think). What used to reside in this office was a pair of free standing desks the took up a majority of the central, usable space. By changing the layout and putting the new desks along the wall, the room has opened up considerably and has a much more fluid feel. The cabinets are shaker-style, custom built-ins with a customer-specific white lacquer. The countertops are fabricated from character walnut and have been sanded to 180 and then finished with Waterlox.

As with all Re:klaim projects, we want to inform you of recycled content. This project is an example of when new stock fits into our business model. These countertops were fabricated from new walnut butcher block. The cabinets are plywood.

Update // Last week we began installation on the office renovation project we have been working on. In case you haven't seen anything on this project yet, we are installing Shaker-Styled built-in cabinets and capping them with character walnut countertops. Here are a few details of the installation process:

Removal // Obviously any renovation project starts with removal. Out with the old and in with the new. We removed everything from the room as well as pulled some of the base trim off the wall to prepare for installation of the cabinets.

Setting // The first step is to set the cabinets. We measured out the location of each cabinet and mounted them to the stud wall so they would be sturdy and secured.

Countertops // Next we brought in the countertops and attached them to the cabinets after we centered them in their final resting place. This part of the process can usually cause issues due to crooked or bowed walls - however, it is solvable by caulk, or in extreme cases, scribing.

Doors/Drawers/Hardware // The last step is to install the door and drawer fronts as well as the hardware. In this case the owner chose oil-rubbed bronze circular pulls - a great contrast to the white cabinets.